BRYAN COLLEGE STATION, TX — Dozens of Senior Pastors from churches throughout Bryan-College Station have issued a joint statement denouncing racism.
"We, as pastors of Bryan and College Station, stand united. We grieve together as we have witnessed the unnecessary death of George Floyd, along with the ensuing turmoil in people’s hearts and in our streets," the statement says. "We grieve the long history of prejudice and racism experienced by people of color in our nation. We grieve that the Church has not done more to heal the divisions in the name of Christ. We grieve that the misuse of authority by some law enforcement officers brings both unnecessary harm on the people they are called to protect and overshadows the brave and sacrificial work of many other officers who uphold justice with dignity and integrity."
The Senior Pastors say their churches denounce racism and racial injustice in all of its forms.
"This includes the sin of partiality that affects our hearts individually, as well as all of the various ways that racism manifests itself socially and culturally. Racism is evil and is an affront to our Creator who made each of us -- from every ethnic background, female and male, young and old, rich and poor, weak and strong -- in His image.
Because we are all equal in the eyes of our Creator (Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 5:1-2; Galatians 3:28), we are committed to treat one another with dignity and respect (Romans 13:8-10); we are committed to speak up and protect the vulnerable among us (Proverbs 31:8-9); we are committed to provide for the needy among us (James 1:27); we are committed to live righteous lives (Proverbs 14:34); we are committed to stand for truth and justice (Psalm 82:3,4); and we are committed to love and to forgive (Ephesians 4:32-5:2). Fulfilling these commitments with diligence reflects the heart of our God and our Savior, Jesus Christ, to a broken and hurting world (Matthew 5:16)."
The Senior Pastors says they are praying for wisdom and courage as they seek to bring the light of Jesus into the darkness and division of our world.
The statement is signed "Grace and Peace, Pastors of Bryan and College Station."
Churches who signed the statement include:
Troy Allen, Senior Pastor, First Baptist College Station
Craig Anderson, Pastor, Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Bryan
Greg Anderson, Lead Minister, A&M Church of Christ
Calvin Arnold, Pastor, The Fellowship (Galilee/TCAC, et. al)
Timothy Ateek, Executive Director, Breakaway Ministries
Rev. Emily Beghin, First Presbyterian Church of Bryan
Phillip Bethancourt, Senior Pastor, Central Church
Jacob Biswell, Pastor, New World Worship Center
Sherdonna Bragg, Pastor, New Heights Church
Jonathan Brooks, Pastor, Restoration Church Bryan
Ramiro Castillo, Senior pastor, Southern Oaks Baptist Church
Blake Chilton, Pastor, Declaration Church
Rev. A.C. Clark III, Pastor, Pleasant Grove Baptist Church
Chad Clark, Founder, One Hope Movement
Wade Coleman, Pastor, Westminister Presbyterian Church
John Collier, Pastor, New Beginnings Bryan
Rev. Eleanor L. Colvin, Pastor, First UMC College Station
Melvin O. Cooper, Pastor, St. Matthew Baptist Church
Rev. Greg Crosthwait, Church of the Incarnation
Rev. Dr. Dan DeLeon, Senior Pastor, Friends Congregational Church, United Church of Christ
Jason DeVerna, Pastor, Connecting Point Church
Rev Christian & Anita Dorsey, Pastors, The Gathering Church
Steve Doyle, Director of Missions, Creath-Brazos Baptist Association
Allen Duty, Preaching Pastor, New Life Baptist Church
Eric Evje, Lead Pastor, Living Hope Bryan
Brian Fisher, Senior Pastor, Grace Bible Church
Ted Foote, Jr., Pastor, First Presbyterian Church - Bryan
Paul Fowler, Pastor, Life/Church BCS
Rev. Elaine Gomulka, Pastor, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church
Danny Green, Pastor, Skybreak Church
Preston Greenwaldt, Senior Pastor, A&M United Methodist Church
Bishop Maurice Green, Pastor, Lily of the Valley Church of God in Christ
Rev. Ben Hailey, Lead Teaching Pastor, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, College Station
Katy Haislet, Pastor, A&M United Methodist Church
Tyler Hardy, Pastor, Antioch Community Church
Daryl Hay, Rector, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
Jim Heiligman, Pastor, First Baptist Bryan
Anthony Hill, Pastor, Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church
Rev. Sam Hill, Pastor, North Bryan
New Birth Baptist Church
Jason Horine, Pastor, Wellborn Baptist Church
Jerry House, Lead Pastor, Christ United Methodist Church
John Hubbard, Pastor, Mt. Olive Baptist Church
Charles Jefferson, Pastor, Peaceful Rest Baptist Church
Blake Jennings, Teaching Pastor, Grace Bible Church Southwood
Loren Johnson, Pastor, Trinity Baptist Church
Dr. C. L. King, Pastor, Mt. Nebo Baptist Church
Cristobal Ledezma, Pastor, Casa De Dios Ministries, Bryan
Will Lewis, Senior Pastor, Brazos Fellowship
Pastor Hong I Lim, Pastor, Vision Mission Church
Chris Liotta, Lead Pastor, Rivergate Church
Dan Marshall, Pastor, Faith Bible Church
Obed Matus, Pastor, Verdades Biblicas
Elder George Moore Jr, Pastor, Savior Temple COGIC
Matt Morton, Teaching Pastor, Grace Bible Church Creekside
David Murphy, Staff Chaplain, Baylor Scott & White Hospital, College Station
Rev. Caressa Murray and Rev. Jonathan Murray, Co-Pastors Covenant Presbyterian Church, College Station
Marie Nutall, Pastor, New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church
Mario, Parga, Pastor, Aldersgate
Sándor Paull, Pastor, Christland Church
Alan Pittman, Living Hope Baptist Church, CS
JJ Ramirez, Director, SOS Ministries
David Reynolds, Pastor, Engage Calvary
Ron Rich, Associate Director of Missions, Creath Brazos Association
Ben Rush, Pastor, Citizens Church
Eddie Sahakian, Pastor, Redeemed Church
Rev. Rick Sitton, First United Methodist Church
Dr. Sylvester Smith, Jr., Pastor, New Zion Missionary Baptist Church
Scot Stolz, Pastor, Community Church
Clyde Strong, Pastor, Bethel Baptist Church
Jennifer Webber, Pastor, First United Methodist Church
Jerry Wirtley, Pastor, Treehouse Ministries
Craig Yates, Pastor, Hillcrest Baptist Church